How to Store Flower Bulbs Indoors

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How to Store Flower Bulbs Indoors

Overview

Flower bulbs come in two main varieties---spring flowering and summer flowering. Spring flowering bulbs mainly require storage only if they purchased in late summer or early fall for a few weeks before the proper fall planting date. Many summer bulbs aren't frost-hardy, so must be dug up each fall after the first frost and stored indoors over winter until spring replanting. Storing your bulbs correctly ensures the maximum amount remain healthy for replanting in spring.

Step 1

Inspect the bulbs for signs of disease or rot, most noticeable as soft spots on the bulbs. Dispose of damaged bulbs.

Step 2

Spread the bulbs out on a sheet of newspaper, ensuring that none are touching. Place them in a warm, dry room out of direct sunlight for two weeks to dry and cure.

Step 3

Spread spring bulbs out in an uncovered tray. Place in a 55- to 65-degree F area until ready to plant.

Step 4

Fill a shoe box or perforated plastic bag with dry vermiculite. Place the bulbs inside the bags, ensuring none are touching each other. Store most summer bulbs at 55 degrees F until spring replanting.

Step 5

Check bulbs every one to two weeks during storage for signs of rot. Dispose of any damaged or rotting bulbs immediately so it doesn't spread to the healthy bulbs.

Tips and Warnings

Do not store bulbs neat ripening fruit. Fruit produces Ethylene gas, which causes bulb rot.
Store bulbs away from areas where mice or other pests may find them and eat them.

Things You'll Need

Newspaper

Tray

Shoe box

Perforated bags

Vermiculite

References

About this Author

Jenny Harrington is a freelance writer of more than five years' experience. Her work has appeared in "Dollar Stretcher" and various blogs. Previously, she owned her own business for four years, selling handmade items online, wholesale and via the crafts fair circuit. Her specialties are small business, crafting, decorating and gardening.